BARTHEZ MOVE BLOCKED

Last Updated : 31-Oct-2003 by Editor
Fabien’s move to Marseille has been stopped by FIFA because
the transfer window is shut. Isn’t this the type of thing
that’d be checked before a deal was announced? A FIFA
spokesman said, “The committee looked at the case and
rejected the request.”

“I have not been informed of anything officially by FIFA”
said Marseille president Christophe Bouchet. “Apparently the
press have been tipped off which is a bit of a strange way
to communicate. I shall wait for an official decision before
making any comment.”